Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Answering Basic Job Interview Questions
Give a short introduction, describe relevant experience and support a strength with a specific example.
Your speaking goal
Answer three simple interview questions and ask one question about the role.
Before you start: Use the fictional applicant and weekend shop role in the model. Do not invent real qualifications or share private employment records.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Interviewer and Applicant
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Interviewer: Could you tell me a little about yourself?
Applicant: I’m Jordan Lee. I’ve helped at community events, and I enjoy working with people.
Interviewer: Why are you interested in this shop assistant role?
Applicant: I’d like to develop my customer service skills and help customers find what they need.
Interviewer: Could you give an example of helping someone?
Applicant: At a community event, a visitor couldn’t find the registration desk. I checked the information and showed them where to go.
Interviewer: What would you say is one of your strengths?
Applicant: I’m organised. For that event, I used a checklist to make sure the welcome table was ready on time.
Interviewer: Do you have any questions for us?
Applicant: Yes, thank you. What training do new team members receive?
Interviewer: For this role, new starters learn the shop routines with an experienced colleague.
Applicant: Thank you. That’s helpful to know.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I’m interested in this role because ___. — Explain your reason for applying.
- For example, ___. — Support a general statement with a specific event.
- One of my strengths is ___. — Name something you do well.
- What training do new team members receive? — Ask about support for someone starting the role.
Say it clearly
Keep the answer in short groups: ‘I’m organised. / For example, / I used a checklist.’ Pause after the strength so your example is easy to follow.
Build your own replies
One of my strengths is ___. For example, ___. → Thank you. Could you tell me more about that?
Ask and check
Would you like an example from work, or would a community activity be suitable? → A community activity is fine for this question.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘Experience’ is normally uncountable when it means knowledge gained through work or activities: ‘some experience’, not ‘an experience’ in that sense. ‘An experience’ can mean one particular event. Use truthful personal examples in a real interview; the model details are fictional.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
What example supports the applicant’s claim to be organised?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Using a checklist to prepare the welcome table on time. A specific action supports the general claim.
Question 2
Does the applicant claim to have worked in this shop before?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. The applicant describes helping at community events and asks about training for the new role.
Question 3
How could you ask for an interview question to be repeated?
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘Could you repeat the question, please?’ is clear and polite. ‘Could you explain what you mean by that?’ asks for clarification rather than just repetition.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Give a short fictional introduction, explain an interest in the role and support a strength with an example.
Role B
Ask simple interview questions and one follow-up about the applicant’s example. Answer a question about the fictional role.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: The interviewer asks for more detail. Explain what you did and the result in two or three sentences, without adding unsupported claims.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can give a short introduction relevant to a role.
- I can support a strength with an example.
- I can ask about the role or request clarification.